One international left in Caulfield Cup

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Next month's Caulfield Cup will have just one international runner after English trainer Michael Stoute's Distinction was the only horse to enter quarantine in Europe in time for the $2.5 million race.

But Racing Victoria Ltd's Mark Player said last night that international interest in Melbourne's other two feature races - the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup - was as keen as ever and he expected multiple runners in both races.

"I have two confirmed bookings for the German horses Epalo and Paolini for the Cox Plate as well as from Elegant Fashion's connections in Hong Kong and there are a number of others still eyeing off the race," Player said.

"As for the Melbourne Cup, Distinction and another German horse, Simonas, are confirmed but the Irish St Leger (on Saturday) holds the key to a number of runners, such as Vinnie Roe and Brian Boru," he said.

Distinction, who is by Danehill, entered quarantine in England yesterday and is due to arrive in Australia on September 28. He passed the first elimination clause for the Caulfield Cup, on October 16, with his win in the listed Troy Stakes (2400 metres) at Doncaster on Saturday.

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The Melbourne Racing Club received 32 international entries for the Caulfield Cup by the deadline of August 1, but that number was slashed to just nine by first declarations on September 1.

The club was hopeful that six-year-old gelding Wunderwood from England would also make the trip for his trainer Lady Herries, who won the Caulfield Cup in 1998 with Taufan's Melody. But Wunderwood disappointed owner Tony Perkins when a five-lengths third to Godolphin stayer Mutasallil over 2400 metres at Doncaster on Saturday and was later found to be injured.

Meanwhile, trainer Lee Freedman said last night he was checking flights to Sydney before deciding whether to take Special Harmony and Mummify to Rosehill for the group 2 Hill Stakes on Saturday.

Freedman nominated the pair for Sydney to provide an option if the Caulfield track was affected by rain ahead of Sunday's meeting.

"But 1900 metres is a bit far for her (Special Harmony) at this stage so they'll probably both race here (in the Underwood) on Sunday," he said.

Freedman, who also has Alinghi entered for the Dubai Racing Club Cup, sits on 99 group 1 wins and could, on Sunday, join legends Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings as the only trainers to reach 100 winners at that level.

But he warned that Alinghi was no certainty to run as she may be too harshly handicapped.

Weights for the race are to be announced today and Freedman said if he was not happy with Alinghi's handicap, he would run her in the group 3 Jumeirah Stakes for fillies.